Take Back Day offers safe drug disposal

This Saturday, Northwest Montana residents can easily dispose of unwanted prescription medications as part of the biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The Whitefish Police Department, Ronan Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Libby will all be accepting prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drug disposal is free and anonymous.

“Take Back Day offers a safe and easy way for each of us to properly dispose of outdated or unneeded medications and helps prevent prescription drug abuse and theft,” Attorney General Tim Fox said in a press release.

Accepted items include tablets, capsules, patches and other solid medications. For the first time, designated sites will also take vaping devices and cartridges.

Items not accepted include liquid medications, illegal drugs, chemotherapy drugs, needles, sharps, mercury thermometers, oxygen containers, pressurized canisters and radioactive substances, according to Fox’s press release.

“The primary way opioid abusers first get pills is from family, friends or the medicine cabinet. That’s why getting rid of unneeded and expired prescriptions is an important step Montanans can take to prevent opioid abuse and addiction,” Kurt Alme, U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, said in a press release.

Alme added that flushing medications down the toilet or tossing them in the trash poses safety and health hazards.

Since 2010, over 40,000 pounds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications have been collected at Montana National Take Back Day events, according to Alme’s office.